Exercise #1 - INFOTECH 100



Excel Terminology

Absolute reference: In a formula, a reference to a cell that does not change if the formula is copied to a different cell. An absolute reference uses two dollar signs, such as $A$15 for cell A15.

Active cell: The cell whose contents appear in the formula bar. You can enter information into the active cell and also edit its contents.

Argument: In a worksheet function, information (enclosed in parentheses) that provides details as to what you want the function to do.

Autofilter: To display only the rows in a list that meet certain criteria.

Autoformat: Predefined formatting that you can quickly apply to a range of cells in a worksheet or a pivot table. Also refers to predefined formats that you can apply to a chart.

AutoShape: A graphic object that you place on the draw layer using one. of the Excel drawing tools. .

Cell: A single addressable unit in a worksheet, defined by the intersection of a row and a column.

Cell comment: A comment that is attached to a cell.

Cell pointer: The dark border that surrounds the active cell. You move the cell pointer with the mouse or the keyboard.

Cell reference: Identifies a cell by giving its column letter and row number. For example, C5 refers to the cell at the intersection of column C and row 5. If you're referring to a cell on a different sheet, you need to precede it with the sheet name and an exclamation point. These can be relative references (most common), absolute references, or mixed references.

Chart: A graphic representation of values in a worksheet. A chart can be embedded on a worksheet or stored on a separate chart sheet in a workbook.

Chart sheet: A type of sheet in a workbook that holds a single chart.

Circular reference: In a formula, a reference to the cell that contains the formula (either directly or indirectly). If cell A10 contains =SUM(A1:A10), a circular reference exists because the formula refers to its own cell.

Column: Part of a worksheet that consists of 65,536 cells arranged vertically. Each worksheet has 256 columns.

Conditional formatting: Formatting (such as color or-bold text) that is applied to a cell depending on the cell's contents.

Consolidation: The process of merging data from multiple worksheets or multiple workbook files.

Criteria range: A special type of range that holds specifications used by an advanced filter or for a database worksheet function.

Data table: A table, calculated by Excel, that shows the effects on one or more formulas when one or more input cells take on different values. Excel supports one-way and two-way data tables.

Data validation: The process of ensuring that data of the correct type is entered into a cell. For example, if the entry is outside of a specified range of values, you can display a message to the user.

Default workbook template: A template that is used as the basis for new workbooks. This template is named book.xlt and is stored in your XLStart folder.

Default worksheet template: A template that is used as the basis for new worksheets that you insert into a workbook. This template is named sheet.xlt and is stored in your XLStart folder.

Dependent cell: A cell that contains a formula that refers to the active cell. In other words, the formula depends on the value in the active cell.

Draw layer: An invisible layer on top of all worksheets. The draw layer contains embedded charts, maps, and drawn objects.

Embedded chart: A chart that's placed on a worksheet's draw layer (as opposed to residing on a separate chart sheet).

Field: In a database, information that is contained in columns.

Fill handle: The small square object that appears at the lower-right corner of the active cell or a selected range of cells.

Filter: To hide rows in a list such that only the rows that meet a certain criteria are displayed.

Formula: An entry in a cell that returns a calculated result.

Formula bar: The area of Excel, just below the toolbars, that displays the contents of the active cell. You can edit the cell in the formula bar.

Formula palette: A tool that helps you create and edit formulas and worksheet functions.

Frozen titles: The process of keeping certain top rows and/or left columns always displayed, no matter where the cell pointer is. You can set this with the Windows,->_Freeze Panes command.

Function: A special keyword used in a formula to perform a calculation. Use the Function Wizard to enter a function in a formula.

Goal seeking: The process of determining the value of a cell that results in a specific value returned by a formula.

Gridlines: Lines that delineate the cells in a worksheet. In a chart, gridlines are extensions of the tick marks on the axes.

Handles: On graphic objects, these are the small squarish things at the corners and on the sides. You can drag handles with a mouse to change the size of the graphic object.

Legend: In a chart, the small box that describes the data series. In a map, the small box that describes the map's contents.

Link formula: A formula that uses a reference to a cell that's contained in a different workbook.

List: A database that's stored in a worksheet. A list contains a header row that describes the contents of the information in each column

Locked cell: A cell that cannot be changed when the worksheet is protected. If the worksheet is not protected, locked cells can be modified.

Map: A graphic depiction of data that is based on geography.

Number format: The manner in which a value is displayed. For example you can format a number to appear with a percent sign and a specific number of decimal places. The number format changes only the appearance of the number (not the number itself.

Named range: A range that you've assigned a name to. Using named ranges in formulas makes your formulas more readable.

Noncontiguous range: A range of cells that is not contained in a single rectangular area. You select a noncontiguous range by pressing Ctrl while you select cells.

OLE object: An object from another application that is stored in a document. OLE stands for Object Linking and Embedding.

Merged cells: Cells that have been combined into one larger cell that holds a that single value.

Operator: In a formula, a character represents the type of operation to be performed. Operators include + (plus sign), / (division sign), and others.

Mixed reference: In a formula, a reference to a cell that is partially absolute and partially relative. A mixed reference uses one dollar sign, such as A$15 for cell A15: In this case, the column part of the reference is relative; the row part of the reference is absolute.

Outline: A worksheet structured in such a way that information can be expanded (to show additional details) or contracted (to show fewer details).

Pane: One part of a worksheet window that has been split into either two or four parts.

Pivot table: A table that summarizes information contained in a worksheet list or external database.

Pointing: The process of selecting a range using either the keyboard or the mouse. When you need to enter a cell or range reference into a dialog box, you can either enter it directly or point to it in the worksheet.

Precedent cell: A cell that is referred to by a formula cell. A single formula can have many precedent cells, and the precedents can be director indirect.

Print titles: One or more rows and/or columns that appear on each page of printed output.

Range: A collection of two or more cells. Specify a range by separating the upperleft cell and the lower-right cell with a colon.

Range Finder: The colored frame that indicates cells that are referenced in a formula or used in a chart. You can grab and move the frame to change the formula or chart series.

Recalculate: To update a worksheet's formulas using the most current values.

Record: In a database, information that is contained in rows.

Relative reference: In a formula, a reference to a cell that changes (in a relative manner) if the formula is copied to a different cell. A relative reference doesn't use any dollar signs (as opposed to an absolute reference or a mixed reference).

Row: Part of a worksheet that consists of 256 cells arranged horizontally. Each worksheet has 65,536 rows.

Scenario: A specific set of values for input cells. Each scenario is assigned a name and can be displayed using the Excel scenario manager.

Sheet: One unit of a workbook, which can be a worksheet or a chart sheet. Activate a sheet by clicking its sheet tab.

Sort: To rearrange the order of rows, based on the contents of one or more columns. Sorts can be in ascending or descending order.

Spreadsheet: A generic term for a product such as Excel that is used to track and calculate data. Or, this term is often used to refer to a worksheet or a workbook.

Status bar: The line at the bottom of the Excel window that shows the status of several things and also displays some messages.

Template: A file that is used as the basis for a new workbook. Examples include the Spreadsheet Solutions templates that come with Excel.

Value: A number entered into a cell.

VBA: Visual Basic for Applications. This is the name of the macro language included with Excel.

What-if analysis: The process of changing one or more input cells and observing the effects on one or more dependent formulas. The Excel Scenario Manager makes it easy to perform what-if analyses.

Wizard: A series of dialog boxes that assist you in performing an operation such as creating a chart, importing text, or creating certain types of formulas.

Workbook: The name for a file that Excel uses. A workbook consists of one or more sheets.

Worksheet: A sheet in a workbook that contains cells. Worksheets are the most commonly used sheet type.

Workspace file: A file that contains information about all open workbooks: their size, arrangement, and position. You can save a workspace file and then re-open it to pick up where you left off.

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